Every day, the web is changing lives in Africa. In the next five years, 7 out of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies will be from Africa. The web is playing an important part in this development. Today we’re launching a new initiative called ‘Africa Connected: Success stories powered by the web’, and we need your help. Have you or has someone you know embraced the web and Google’s tools? Has it transformed your life, your passion or your business? If so, we want to hear from you!

The five most inspiring stories stand to win prizes of $25,000 each, and the winners will also have the opportunity to work with a Google champion to help them make their venture even more awesome. Looking across the web in Africa, we’re already seeing awe-inspiring success stories like those of Just A Band, a music & arts collective from Kenya , or Chike, a businessman and his family from Nigeria, who are the creators of the popular Afrinolly mobile app, which already has over 3 million downloads. Other inspiring examples include Naa, a young jewelry designer from Ghana; Noel, a citizen journalist from Togo; Mdu, a young South African animator; and Asurf a self-taught filmmaker from Nigeria. All of these web heroes have used the web and Google tools to develop and scale their ideas.

Do you have a healthy disregard for the impossible? Are you using the web and technology to do cool and extraordinary things? Whether you’re a photographer, an entrepreneur, a fashion designer or a community activist, this is an opportunity to share your story with the world. Categories for contest entries include:

Education

Entertainment/Arts/Sports

Technology

Community and NGOs

Small Business

20 semi-finalists will be selected to take part in an interview and to produce a short promotional video. A judging panel made up of Googlers and external judges will then determine the 10 finalists. Submissions are open from August 27, 2013 to October 31, 2013. The competition will run until February 2014 when the winners will be announced. Even if you do not yet have a story to share, you can learn more about the web and Google through the Africa Connected platform. We're looking forward to showcasing your amazing web success story! For more information and to enter the Africa Connected contest, visit www.africaconnected.com. Posted by Affiong Osuchukwu, Country Marketing Manager, Google Nigeria